Active holidays in Cyprus: shooting, horse riding, skiing and safaris

Active holidays are all about adrenaline and intense bursts of emotion, pushing yourself to achieve your goals, and discovering new thoughts, ideas, feelings and knowledge. They provide a boost of positivity and memorable experiences, and, most importantly, improve your health.

Nowadays, active holidays are one of the most popular and exciting forms of tourism in the world, chosen by millions of people every year.

Cyprus offers its visitors, as well as the island’s permanent residents, a whole kaleidoscope of active leisure pursuits and entertainment.

Shooting sports and hunting

Cyprus is home to professional shooting federations that promote and develop amateur archery and clay pigeon shooting.

Many hotels in Cyprus have their own shooting clubs and offer equipment for hire. These clubs fully comply with modern standards and safety requirements.

The Elias Country Club, based in the Limassol area, offers the opportunity to hone your archery skills and improve your level under the guidance of experienced instructors. Targeted shooting is particularly popular on the island, as virtually every family in Cyprus has hunters, and in today’s world, the shooting of game and birds is considered inhumane.

If you’re on holiday in Cyprus and fancy a go at shooting, you can visit one of the island’s shooting clubs, where, for a relatively low rental fee, you can hire a gun, equipment and receive the necessary instruction: Lefkosia Shooting Club and Cyprus Olympic Range (Nicosia), Lemessos Shooting Club (Limassol), Larnaca Shooting Club (Larnaca), Pafos Shooting Club (Pafos).

The shooting clubs organise events with free entry for anyone interested, featuring Olympic-style shooting ranges for various types of firearms, trials and demonstrations by hunting dogs, themed exhibitions and seminars.

The cost of ‘shooting’ in Cyprus is around 12–25 euros, depending on the type of firearm (excluding the cost of ammunition).

Horse riding and equestrian sports

Spending time with beautiful, intelligent and graceful horses, the soothing sight of the azure landscape, the fresh sea air and the sensation of a light breeze on your skin, the speed and the changing panoramas – all this provides a flood of emotions and unforgettable experiences that horse riding will bring you.

Horse riding is very popular in Cyprus, and riding clubs and schools can be found in every part of the island: Nicosia Riding Club and Cavalier Riding Club (Nicosia), Amathus Park Riding School and Elias Country Club (Limassol), Paddocks Equestrian Centre, Valeria Wolfs Trekking Ride and George’s Ranch (Paphos), Ponyland (Larnaca), and Moonshine Ranch LTD (Famagusta).

At these clubs, both children and adults can go for a ride for half an hour or even a whole day, and it is also possible to go on extended (several-day) horse-riding trips to visit the tourist gems of hospitable Cyprus. The pace and direction of the ride depend entirely on your ability and preference and are not restricted by the stables’ owners.

For those unfamiliar with horse riding, introductory lessons are available, and there are also specialised courses for advanced riders.

The ranch in Protaras is particularly popular; it employs a professional jockey, offering guests not only coastal horse rides and individual and group riding lessons, but also accommodation at the ranch with fascinating conversations and stories about the world of equestrian sports.

Drapia Farm in Limassol specialises in organising extended horse rides across Cyprus (lasting one or several days), including stops at tavernas and swimming in the sea on horseback.

The Cyprus Equestrian Federation in Nicosia offers Cypriots and visitors to the island the chance to learn the basics of horse riding as well as to take part in equestrian sports such as dressage, show jumping and horse racing.

The average cost of horse rides is 20 euros per hour; full-day safari rides cost 70–100 euros per person; group riding lessons cost 15–20 euros per hour; private lessons start at 30 euros per hour.

Skiing

Winter sports in Cyprus are only just beginning to take off.

The season runs from January to April. However, the best time to visit Cyprus to learn or maintain your skiing skills is February and March, as the snow cover is generally optimal at this time of year.

The Cyprus Ski Federation & Club has developed eight ski runs across four slopes on Mount Olympus in the Troodos range.

The slopes are categorised according to skiers’ ability levels – from beginner to advanced. Anyone who has ever been on skis at least once in their life will be able to give these slopes a go.

The Hera Lift on Mount Olympus and the Aphrodite Lift in Sunny Valley are particularly suitable for beginners. Skiers of intermediate ability will feel confident on the Hermes slope in Sunny Valley, whilst experienced skiers will enjoy the Zeus slope, situated in the northern part of the mountain.

There are several ski schools for adults and children. Cross-country ski trails are available, and off-piste skiing can be great fun for skiers.

Ski clubs across Cyprus offer their members discounts on the purchase and hire of equipment and gear: the Cyprus Ski Club and its branches – the Nicosia Ski Club, Famagusta Ski Club, Limassol Ski Club and Troodos Ski Club.

The average cost of services at a ski resort in Cyprus is as follows: a day pass – 60 euros; 1 lift ride – 1–2 euros; ski hire per day – 40 euros; group lessons – 50 euros; private instructor – 100–150 euros.

Jeep safaris

This is one of the most popular activities for active visitors to Cyprus, allowing you to see as much as possible with minimal effort, whilst, of course, enjoying the beauty of nature and the colours of summer.

The most popular routes run through the Troodos Mountains, visiting mountain villages and monasteries, or through the wilderness of the Akamas Peninsula. The average cost of a one-day jeep safari is 40–50 euros.

Those seeking a touch of the exotic can experience the local flavour on a donkey safari through olive and orange groves, organised by Dipotamos Donkey Farm.